Northern Ireland's Refurbished Hillsborough Castle Re-opens to the Public

Various views of Hillsborough, and functions held there. Credit: girlgetswed.co.uk

We love England and we love castles and today, Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland reopened to the public. The only thing is, it's not really a castle. It's an estate. Here's the story:

RE-OPENS TODAY! - BBC News reported that the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have officially reopened Hillsborough Castle after its extensive five-year £20m makeover. The Georgian mansion, dating back to the 1770s, is set within 100 acres of grounds . The County Down site is the Queen's official residence in Northern Ireland and home to the secretary of state. The castle and its new visitors' centre opens to the public today,April 18th.

TO VISIT: Explore the late Georgian house built by Wills Hill, which is still in use as a Royal residence in Northern Ireland, with up to 100 acres of stunning gardens to enjoy throughout the seasons.

https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/

WHAT'S THE HISTORY OF THE "CASTLE"? Hillsborough Castle, which is located in the village of Hillsborough in north-west County Down, is not a true castle. It is a Georgian country house built in the 18th century for the Hill family, Marquesses of Downshire, who owned it until 1922, when the 6th Marquess sold the mansion and its grounds to the British government.

Hillsborough Castle. Credit: BBC.Uk

ALL THE RED TAPE BEHIND THE CASTLE - Under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 a new, distinct region of the United Kingdom called Northern Ireland had been created within the traditional province of Ulster but minus three counties—Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan—which became part of the Irish Free State. Executive authority had been vested for both Northern Ireland and sister region Southern Ireland in the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was supposed to be one of two all-Ireland features (along with the Council of Ireland) in the new home rule structure. However, that office was abolished in a law change following the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which in effect aborted Southern Ireland (which had in reality only existed on paper) and established the Irish Free State.

A new office for Northern Ireland alone was created, that of Governor of Northern Ireland.

SO WHY HILLSBOROUGH? - The Viceregal Lodge in Dublin became unavailable, physically and politically, so a new residence was needed. Hillsborough Castle, though outside the largest city of Northern Ireland, Belfast, was deemed a suitable location. After some renovations, the first governor, The 3rd Duke of Abercorn, moved in during 1925. Upon becoming the official residence of the governor, the building was officially renamed Government House.